Mattapoisett youth proposes memorial to NASA pioneer

You're never to young to contribute to the community as 11-year-old Alex Craig demonstrated to selectmen when he proposed that the town establish a memorial to honor a Mattapoisett native and NASA pioneer.

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By MICHAEL SMITH

southcoasttoday.com

By MICHAEL SMITH

Posted Jan. 16, 2014 at 6:40 PM
Updated Jan 16, 2014 at 6:42 PM

By MICHAEL SMITH

Posted Jan. 16, 2014 at 6:40 PM
Updated Jan 16, 2014 at 6:42 PM

» Social News

MATTAPOISETT — You're never to young to contribute to the community as 11-year-old Alex Craig demonstrated to selectmen when he proposed that the town establish a memorial to honor a Mattapoisett native and NASA pioneer.

Alex, with his mother Julie by his side, told the board that he had developed a friendship and correspondence with the late Milton Silveira, which began when Alex chose him as the topic of a third grade report.

He played a segment of a phone message from Silveira for the board.

"He always like Ned's Point, so I thought it would be nice to make a memorial site for him," said Alex, who also noted that a Silveira family member is willing to donate money for a memorial bench.

A prominent figure in developing the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Skylab space missions and programs, Silveira served as the engineering manager for the space shuttle program from 1969 to 1973.

Silveira, who also served as NASA's chief engineer from 1983 to 1986, died on July 11, 2013 at the age of 84.

Selectman were enthusiastic with Paul Silva calling Alex's proposal "a great idea. It's a great spot for it."